You Are Only As Strong As Your Weakest Link…

I loved this quote. I think there are two camps; one suggests to focus on your strengths and the other that says you will never go forward unless you address your weaknesses.

Which do you think is your way forward?

I agree on the title. You are only as strong as your weakest part. I also agree on working to your strengths, but this is not to say deny your weaknesses as they tell your story as well. If you choose not to look at what they tell you about yourself you are still spending energy avoiding them.

By understanding them, you are releasing that energy and putting to a more productive, focused outcome. I am not suggesting that we become strong in all areas of our lives; that is only for superheroes (my chance to share again!) I am, however, suggesting that you take back responsibility for yourself and enjoy all of who you are.

I read this short story today and it made me smile about enjoying who you are not who you ‘think’ you ‘should’ be…

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups, and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.

As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt tug on his overalls.

He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

“Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”

“Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat of the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?”

“Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here Dolly!” he called.

Out from the doghouse and down ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.

Down the ramp it slid. Then in a awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up….

“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”

With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.